Bravo's 'Top Chef: Texas' premieres Nov. 2

by jmaloni

Sat, Sep 24th 2011 12:50 am

It's a whole
new ballgame for the competing chefs on Bravo's "Top Chef: Texas," premiering
Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. For the first-time ever, season nine will
boast a record 29 chefs - almost double the amount of chefs in season's past -
who will see if they have what it takes to become an official chef'testant and
qualify to wear the "Top Chef" coat.

Only 16 will go
on to compete across the Lone Star State - in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
In what will prove to be the most challenging season yet, some of the biggest
names in food, music and entertainment including Charlize Theron, Pee-wee
Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love and Patti LaBelle will be featured this
season on "Top Chef: Texas." Returning to the judges' table is host Padma
Lakshmi and head judge, chef Tom Colicchio, alongside judges Gail Simmons and
new this season, famed chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse and critically acclaimed
chef Hugh Acheson.

Colicchio says,
"Just like Texas, this will be our biggest season ever."

Adds host
Lakshmi, "I'm so excited for everyone at home to get a glimpse of all the
great and talented chefs. This season is bigger and better than ever!
Yum!"

The "Top Chef:
Texas" chef'testants will be skewered down week by week as they compete to
out-flavor, out-cook and out-do their competition. The winning chef will
receive $125,000 furnished by Healthy Choice, a feature in Food & Wine
magazine, a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and will
earn the title of "Top Chef." The Emmy Award-winning Magical Elves
return to produce "Top Chef: Texas." Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz
serve as executive producers.

Molly Brandt, 30 - Hollywood, Fla., Allure of the
Seas for Royal Caribbean

Chaz Brown, 29 - New York City, Fatty Crab

Kimberly Calichio, 27 - New York City, Fishtail by
David Burke

Beverly Kim, 31 - Chicago, Aria Restaurant

Chris Crary, 29 - Los Angeles, Whist Restaurant in
the Viceroy Hotel

Andrew Curren, 32 - Austin, Texas, 24 Diner

Berenice deAraujo, 33 - Miami, Sra. Martinez

Janine Falvo, 37 - Atlanta, Briza Restaurant

Richie Farina, 28 - Chicago, MOTO

Sarah Grueneberg, 29 - Chicago, Spiaggia

Chris Jones, 30 - Chicago, MOTO

Edward Lee, 38 - Louisville, Ky., 610 Magnolia

Whitney Otawka, 30 - Cumberland Island, Ga., Greyfield
Inn

Simon Pantet, 30 - Seattle, Twenty-Two Doors

Colin Patterson, 37 - Seattle, Sutra

Laurent Quenioux, 51 - Los Angeles, Vertical Wine
Bistro

Paul Qui, 30 - Austin, Texas, Uchiko Restaurant

Keith Rhodes, 39 - Wilmington, N.C., Catch
Restaurants

Grayson Schmitz, 27 - New York City, exec. chef

Tyler Stone, 22 - Sacramento, Calif., personal chef

Heather Terhune, 39 - Chicago, Sable Kitchen and Bar

Chuy Valencia, 25 - Chicago, Chilam Bilam

Nina Vicente, 29 - Seattle, Spur Gastropub

Ashley Villaluz, 25 - Seattle, sous chef

Dakota Weiss, 35 - Los Angeles, 9:30 Restaurant and
The Backyard

New
this season, eliminated chef'testants will have a second chance at the "Top
Chef" title through a "Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen" webisode series, hosted
by "Top Chef" lead judge and culinary mastermind Colicchio. Each week, two
eliminated chef'testants face-off to compete for the ultimate prize -- a chance
to return to the show and compete to qualify for the on-air finale. Fans can
follow the "Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen" challenges and vote in each week's
Tweet Battle on www.BravoTV.com, as well
as join in the social conversation on the Tweet Tracker. This exciting new
series can be seen on BravoTV.com, m.BravoTV.com, on BravoNow iPhone, iPad and
Android apps, as well as Hulu, iTunes, Amazon, VOD, Zune, Playstation and
wireless carriers.